Flash flood watch canceled for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau

A composite satellite weather image showed a low pressure system north of Kauai on Monday afternoon.Enlarge image

The National Weather Service canceled a flash flood watch for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau after radar showed only light rains over the western islands.

"The threat of flooding rainfall has diminished," forecasters said.

"Radar shows that showers decreased dramatically across most islands overnight, while light to moderate isolated showers persisted over east and southeast portions of Maui, Lanai and Molokai," the weather service said. "Models show surface winds will gradually swing back to east northeast trades over the next 24 hours. Low clouds and showers will favor windward and mauka areas as we transition back to a trade wind weather pattern today through Wednesday. Leeward areas will be rather dry, with the exception of leeward Big Island slopes where afternoon clouds and showers will develop."

The forecast for Tuesday calls for partly sunny skies with scattered showers in windward and mauka areas and isolated leeward showers. Winds will be from the east at 15 to 20 mph with higher gusts.

County officials on Maui cleaned up Monday after heavy rains Sunday night.

H.A. Baldwin Park in Paia was closed Monday as crews cleaned up after an Ironwood tree that fell and downed power lines near the restroom area. A large kiawe tree also fell, blocking the bike path, county officials said.

One of three entrances to Kanaha Park also remains closed as crews clean up about a dozen downed trees in the Kahana area.

On Oahu, Red Cross volunteers visited homes from Kahaluu to Hauula affected by the weekend flooding, to check on residents and distribute clean-up kits.

In the 24-hour period ending at 5 a.m. Monday, Kahakuloa on Maui received 3 inches of rain; the Hana Airport got nearly 2.6 inches and Puu Kukui recorded 2.1 inches.

The Hilo Airport received nearly 2.5 inches of rain overnight and Sunday; 2.3 inches fell at Piihonua and Glenwood got about 2 inches.

About .89 inches fell at the Lihue Airport on Sunday, which set a new record for the date. The old record of .8 inches was set on July 20, 1958. Kahului also set a new record of .6 inches, breaking the old record of .2 inches set in 1992.

Honolulu Airport received a minimal amount of rain on Saturday -- .11 inches -- but it was enough set a new record for the July 19 date. It beat the old record of .08 inches set in 1999.

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juscastingwrote:

The rains are a blessing! All the bird kukai on my PV panels are clean now!

on July 21,2014 | 12:35PM

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SteveToowrote:

4:40 pm and not a drop in Wai`anae Valley. got my sprinkling system turned on.

on July 21,2014 | 04:43PM

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HonoluluHawaiiwrote:

Really muggy outside.

on July 21,2014 | 06:43PM

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SteveToowrote:

Yes muggy and no Mauka winds. Temp in "Hick's" style home is like 92 at 3 p.m.